Buildings to be made friendly for disabled

BHUBANESWAR: With International Day for Persons with Disabilities being observed on December 3, citizens' groups and experts have advocated barrier-free access facilities for disabled persons at public buildings like offices, shopping malls, healthcare institutions, banks, community and religious institutions in the city.

They suggested that the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) should implement the Persons with Disabilities Act 1955 (equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation), and press these institutions into creating the necessary facilities.

"In 2008, the BDA had incorporated the regulations to provide barrier-free access to persons with disabilities. It should ask older public institutions to follow suit," said chairman of the Indian Institute of Architect (IIA), Sanjib Guru. He said that ramp, wheelchair and elevators are mandatory.

As per regulations, facilities should be made available for broadly four types of disability such as non-ambulatory, semi-ambulatory, vision and hearing impairment. "At least 1.2 meter width of ramp should be created by the BDA in public buildings to enable the mobility of semi-ambulatory persons and non-ambulatory persons using wheelchairs," said Guru.

It is estimated that Bhubaneswar has more than 200 public buildings with no facilities for disabled persons. A BDA official said that since 2008 there has been an effort to equip all new buildings, including residential ones with the required implements. Buildings that came up before 2008 are yet to install them. We will soon ask the concerned agencies to create at least a ramp in every building," said the official.

In Bhubaneswar, barrier-free access is yet to be made available at the airport, railway stations, bus stops, temples and tourist sites.

Urban planner Piyush Rout said signage with audio signals is an urgent requirement. "It is important that street infrastructure should be accessible, safe and ensure dignity for all, irrespective of age, gender and disability," he said.

BHUBANESWAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the State Crime Branch on Monday proposed to the State Government for liquidation of the Saradha Group’s properties in order to refund duped investors’ money as per the provisions of the Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 2011.

BHUBANESWAR: The deposited money with the Seashore Group by the investors has been used in many public projects by the Government illegally against the interest of the depositors. In a joint venture with the Government, the money was invested in the OTDC and health projects of the State. Besides, a major portion has been spent in the beautification of river bank of Cuttack, alleged State BJP spokesperson Sameer Mohanty in a Press release here, asking if the money could be returned to the investo

BHUBANESWAR: Like Seashore case, the Commissionerate Police may also urge the State Government for liquidation of Artha Tatwa (AT) company’s properties in order to refund duped investors’ money according to the Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 2011, sources said.

BHUBANESWAR: At a time when the majority of builders in the city are concentrating on creation of low cost houses to overcome the sluggish market, some prominent ones are coming up with luxury penthouses with price tag of above Rs 1 crore.

BHUBANESWAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the State Crime Branch on Monday proposed to the State Government for liquidation of the Seashore Group’s properties in order to refund duped investors’ money according to the Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 2011.

BHUBANESWAR: Once bitten twice shy. The Phailin onslaught has promoted the jittery state government to reassess the planning and design of the proposed houses to be built under the centrally-sponsored Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) for the urban poor in Bhubaneswar.